What is the Theme Park Collection?
The Theme Park Collection is a series of illustrations featuring favourite attractions (mostly roller coasters, to be honest) from around the world!
I started designing them out of frustration. The official merchandise at parks is so often lacking, especially for older attractions. A logo on a t-shirt, if you’re lucky… But more likely just a stock image and some irrelevant text.“I SURVIVED…” *yawn*
Each of my illustrations attempts to capture the unique personality of the featured ride, building on the foundations provided by the park to create an over-the-top design with often unintended retro vibes. You can check out the full collection here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/themeparkcollection
Lots of people have got in touch asking for pins… And I hear ya! The problem with pins is the minimum production numbers and initial cost. I cannot be confident that I’ll sell 50 pins of one design at a decent enough profit to cover all the costs. It’s that simple.
Until now, the collection has been mostly through made-to-order means, where the entire stock, production and shipping is handled by a company. It’s a risk-free approach with measly profits for me, but it means my home isn’t full of t-shirts that might never sell.
The Pins
Each pin will measure approx 30mm at its widest point and is made from 100% recycled clear 3mm thick acrylic. Well, except the pin itself, that’s metal… And the clutch is rubber. Why rubber? There’s less risk of them scratching each other in transit than those metal butterfly ones!
They will also come with a cardboard backing board and cello bag for those of you who collect pins in their packaging! I’ve not decided on a design for the backing board yet – they might be individual to the pins if I can do this without going over budget or universal across all designs.
The first two designs will be NIGHT RIDES ONLY (Beast, Kings Island) and HIVE DIVE (Fury 325, Carowinds) as these are currently the most popular designs in the Theme Park Collection.
Why Acrylic?
Enamel pins sound cooler, I know. But the thing about enamel is you have to design for enamel, and that is another cost in both my time and actual hard cash I’m reluctant to front unless I know there’s an audience for these. So enamel will have to wait – for now…
The cool thing about Acrylic is I can use my existing designs, the turn around is way shorter, the price is way more affordable for small orders… And I can do some cool things with the transparency! The supplier also tells me they’re more environmentally friendly as the plastic used to make them is otherwise headed for a landfill, recycled and given a new lease of life!
Will all the designs be made into pins?
Maybe eventually, but probably not.
I’m aiming to get my 2 most popular designs – Beast and Fury 325 – funded first, if we meet the minimum goal of £300. If the Kickstarter turns out to be more successful than I could have ever dreamed, then the Stretch Goals represent a further 3 popular designs – Maverick, Dueling Dragons and Mako.
The release of further designs depends on the success of this Kickstarter Campaign. If we make it above £1000, I can look into the possibility of adding additional designs. If it seems viable to get further designs made, I intend to involve backers in the decision making process and allow them to choose which designs are brought to life!
Stretch Goals
Rewards
The reward tiers have options for 1,2,3 and 5 pins. You will only have the choice of the pins unlocked during the campaign… For example: If we make it to £500, you’ll have the choice of Fury, Beast and Maverick, even if you opted for the 5 pin Reward. You can choose which pins you’d like as doubles to give to friends!
If we unlock all the pins, you can still choose to have more than one of a design if you want! If you want 5 Fury pins for you and your Carowinds squad, you got it!
The Stickers mentioned in the rewards are high-quality waterproof vinyl and will likely feature Beast and/or Mako, but this could change. I will give you the choice when it comes to sending rewards out with what’s available!
The T-shirts and Posters mentioned can be ANY short sleeve t-shirts or posters found in the Theme Park Collection store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/themeparkcollection
Can I get additional pins?
Yes! If you would like to order additional pins, add £5 to your pledge for every extra pin you would like.
Will the pins be available for sale after the Kickstarter ends?
Possibly! Assuming the Kickstarter is successful, any leftover pins will be available for purchase in the Theme Park Collection store. They will be for sale at a higher price in the store than if purchased through this Kickstarter. It is possible that some of the pins will be “defective” and these will be sold at a marked down rate.
Postage / Shipping
I’ve not decided exactly how I will be packaging the pins yet – either jiffy bags or small boxes – but I’m based in the UK and all domestic orders will be sent via 2nd Class and all International will be sent via Standard Airmail. I want to keep this as a flat rate and eat any additional costs of postage my end – there’s nothing more annoying when you’re buying something online than unforeseen and absurdly high postage costs.
Timeframe
I’m hoping to get the first rewards sent out by the end of May 2020 and looking at the calendar that seems entirely possible – but I’m new to Kickstarter and I’ve read plenty of stories of unforeseen delays. I’m away in June for a coaster roadtrip – so I’m penciling in August 2020 as the deadline for having rewards sent out to give myself plenty of time.
How are you using the money?
These percentages are approximates intended to give you an idea of the cost in running a Kickstarter campaign like this.
EDIT: I didn’t realise Kickstarter included additional postage costs in the goal price. Ah well. That’s exactly the kinda thing the wiggle room was for!
What if I change my mind?
You can increase/decrease or even cancel your pledge at any time here on Kickstarter. You will only be charged when the campaigns ends, if we reach the initial goal. If we don’t reach the base goal by the end of the the campaign date, you will not be charged at all!
This is my first Kickstarter! And my first pins! So I’m sure I’ll encounter a challenge along the way, but I pride myself in keeping clients in the know. If I have any troubles, I’ll let you all know. I’ve worked with this supplier twice before now in manufacturing stickers and I run several online stores – so I’m well aware of the kind of delays and unforeseen issues that can crop up, but I’m also well prepared to deal with them. Lets DO this!